From Ijeoma John Nnewi
Nnewi North Local Government Area of Anambra State has designed new security architecture for adequate protection of lives and property without disclosing the strategies adopted.
The Head (Commissioner) for Special Duties in the Council Area, Mr Austin Jideofor said the new measures would not be disclosed for security reasons. He assured that it was no longer business as usual.
He noted in an interview at his new office,on Tuesday, that with the current democratically elected government officials in place at the local government level, that government at the third tier has the power to design its security architecture the way it suits it.
“The security measures now in Anambra State are run directly by the local government. The government at this level has to run according to its blue prints and challenges.
“The State government can’t be everywhere. The local government now has the executive and legislative arms. It can make bylaws and execute them. So, it has powers and can build its security system.
“Don’t you see that Nnewi is relatively calm now and our Chairman since assumption of office hit the ground running. The Chairman is practically working and we are happy at the pace we are moving, “he said.
He said it is wrong to insinuate that the Anambra State police command is not working. He added that the State police command needed more personnel and logistics to function at the optimum level.
He said that the vigilance operatives should work in tandem with the police for a better result.
On the on-going dualization road project that starts from Agulu in Aniocha Local Government Area through Nnewi to Okija, Mr Jideofor said it was a welcome development.
He said by the time the road project would be completed that Nnewi would wear a new look.
He disclosed that two contracting firms were involved as one would start from Agulu to end up in Nnewi while another one would start from Nnewi to end up at Okija in Ihiala Local Government Area.
He assured that compensation for demolished buildings would be sacrosanct except those who have shanties.
He also disclosed that the local government administration had started discussions with Federal Road Maintenance Agency for Nnewi roads and construction of Ukwaka bridge in Umudim.
He said the Nnewi community would soon begin to experience the kind of development it had never experienced before as a result of the new democratic system.